Post-Thanksgiving Reflections

The turkeys are all gone. It's a bittersweet annual milestone. Each year the turkeys are the first poultry that we get into the brooder. That usually happens in late February or early March. That's when we know it's go-time. Farmlife comes at us pretty fast and furious after that. We stay "turned up" (is that what the kids say) throughout the spring, summer, and fall. Then eventually the turkeys make their way off to the processor. That's a relief, but then they come back... in frozen form. At that point, we have limited time to organize and deliver all those birds because everyone wants theirs at basically the same time. It's a grind, and we are happy to do it. It's nice to have a lot of work to do, and we consider it a blessing to be healthy and able to do it. Then, as we have a beautiful turkey on our table, we reflect on the Carlton Farm turkeys perched on tables all around our region. All of a summer's work comes into focus on a singular day. We are thankful for and humbled by the reflection that comes at Thanksgiving. After Thanksgiving, the farm seems a little different. There are still cows to milk, eggs to gather, pigs and beef cattle to tend to, but the change is distinct. The weather is all of a sudden colder, vegetables are scarce, and the sound of the farm is quieter. It's a time to tie up loose ends that raveled in the summer. That includes cleaning, mending fences, shop work, and projects. It also includes more family time in the evenings, some holiday cheer, and self-evaluation. All the tasks of this time of year are necessary, and they are cleansing. I'm ready for some reflection. I hope you all had a happy Thanksgiving.